A hotel that looks like a propeller from above is hoping to accommodate its customers’ sky-high expectations.

Aviator, built on the site of a former RAF officers’ mess next to Farnborough Airport, aims to bring a fresh option to locals who want to sample first-class accommodation.

The 169-room hotel — own-ed by airport operator TAG Aviation — cost £40million to build and opened on Monday last week.

Its general manager, Michael Helling, hopes the hotel’s Farnborough Road location, its 30-seater deli, brasserie, bars and modern interior will attract local customers alongside its regular business trade.

“We have a fantastic product here,” he said. “The hotel is absolutely beautiful and something that is very unusual, as there isn’t really anything similar in a ten or 15-mile radius.

“I think that we are practically unique.

“We hope to be able to welcome guests and offer them something different, where they will be looked after from the moment they walk in the door until the moment when they leave us.”

Mr Helling, who left his position as general manager of the Hong Kong Club in Hong Kong for Aviator, added: “We have a fantastic group of around 100 staff who are very eager to serve and make this hotel a success.

“Allan Pickett, our brasserie chef, is keen to impress locals and hotel residents with his cooking and we’re hoping that many people will come in and sample his food.”

He said the modern-European menu style in the 100-seat brasserie should prove popular with those who were interested in eating top-quality food.

“Our deli offers something different again with its Italian-theme menu,” said Mr Helling, who is from in Holland.

“It is very rustic, quite familiar and informal and therefore has a different twist to it.

“I think it is essential to strike a balance, certainly for a hotel of our calibre, that we are welcoming the local residents to try out the hotel, and I believe that we are very open and approachable for every-body.”

The hotel has 19 Sky Studio suite rooms, 12 Aviator Plus rooms and 138 Aviator rooms, half of which have airport views. It also sports several conference rooms, a Sky Bar, which is open to the public and residents, and the Sky Lounge, a private bar for Sky Studio tenants and an area to conduct business meetings.

“We have a meeting and events department where we can cater for any kind of cele-bration people might want to have, whether it’s a small family gathering, a birthday or a business meeting,” Mr Helling said.

The hotel was designed by Amanda Ross, International Interior Designer of the Year 2001, who is married to Ken McCulloch, whose company McCulloch’s Unique Hotels manages Aviator.

“The design of the hotel is very striking and modern,” Mr Helling said.

“Again, it is something that you won’t find in the more established hotels in the area.

“We have sumptuous surroundings and I think Amanda is the type of designer who brings a very warm and comfortable feel to a place, with lots of fabrics that are used to create that feel in each room.”

Mr Helling acknowledged that other local hoteliers might see Aviator as an unwelcome rival.

“I believe that compared with other hotels we have positioned ourselves price-wise very favourably,” he said.

“People might see a hotel of our standing as competition but I think that the Farnborough area needs a hotel of this standard, given the fact that the airport is continuing to develop and the amount of business parks and corporate events that are occurring.

“We certainly offer value for money and I think we will be able to offer people a fantastic guest experience. When you are in the hospitality business you aim to look after your customer in the best way that you can. As long as they leave with a smile on their face and a very satisfactory, content guest experience, that is all you can hope for.”

For more information about Aviator, visit www.aviatorfarnborough.co. uk or call 0870 220 8000.